Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. – Malachi 3:10
Through April Hebron’s recurring giving is behind budget by ~$16,500. There has been no detectable increase in overall giving compared to 2023. To put the current shortfall in perspective, we’d be on budget if each giving unit gave $5/week more. And had each giving unit given $15/week more we’d be well on our way to eliminating our budgeted deficit. Prayerfully consider Charles Spurgeon’s meditation on the passage from Malachi.
“Many read and plead this promise without noticing the condition upon which the blessing is promised. We cannot expect heaven to be opened or blessing poured out unless we pay our dues unto the Lord our God and to His cause. There would be no lack of funds for holy purposes if all professing Christians paid their fair share.
“Many are poor because they rob God. Many churches, also, miss the visitation of the Spirit because they starve their ministries. If there is no temporal meat for God’s servants, we need not wonder if their ministry has been little food in it for our souls. When missions pine for means and the work of the Lord is hindered by an empty treasury, how can we look for a large amount of soul-prosperity?
“Come, come! What have I given of late? Have I been mean to my God? Have I stinted my Savior? This will never do. Let me give my Lord Jesus His tithe by helping the poor and aiding His work, and then l shall prove His power to bless me on a large scale.”
Dan Gallagher, Stewardship Team